Prop for Mining, Construction and the Like

ABSTRACT

A prop, for example for supporting the roof of an underground mine, is provided in the form of a vessel. The vessel includes a base having a bottom and one or more sides. A cover, including a top and one or more sides is provided. The top includes a space for accommodating a roof bolt when installed in a mine. Sides of the cover and of the base overlap each other to a maximal extent in a collapsed configuration. A port is formed in the one or more sides for filling the vessel with material when the sides of the cover and of the base overlap each other to a minimal extent in an extended configuration. Consequently the prop is able to go from a collapsed configuration for transportation or storage, to an extended configuration for supporting the roof of the mine. The top of the vessel may comprise a flexible envelope fast with the one or more sides of the cover for receiving the filling, in order to present a deformable upper surface for bearing an uneven load.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to stays and props which may be used in applications such as underground mining and house re-stumping, for example.

BACKGROUND

The discussion of any prior art documents, techniques, methods or apparatus is not to be taken to constitute any admission or evidence that such prior art forms, or ever formed, part of the common general knowledge.

Wooden or steel stays and props are known to be used in environments where excavation is being carried out such as underground mining for example.

Wooden props of sufficient strength for underground mining applications are expensive and labour intensive to install. Furthermore, wood rots over time and is combustible, which is a hazard. Steel props are very heavy with those that are applicable to mining environments weighing up to two tons. Furthermore, both wooden and steel props are typically non-adjustable in height so that they must be cut to size before being transported to site.

A further problem is that it is often difficult and labor intensive to install a prop, for example in a mine. This is because the roof and floor of the mine may be uneven so that it is difficult to maneuver the prop and locate it in its desired position.

It is an object of the present invention to address one or more of the above-described problems or to at least provide a useful alternative to those props and stays that have hitherto been known in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a prop in the form of a vessel including a base having a bottom and one or more sides;

a cover including a top and one or more sides, wherein the sides of the cover and of the base overlap each other to a maximal extent in a collapsed configuration;

-   -   at least one port formed in the one or more sides for filling         the vessel with material when the sides of the cover and of the         base overlap each other to a minimal extent in a extended         configuration; and     -   a space formed in the top for accommodating a roof bolt when         installed in a mine.     -   Preferably the material is substantially non-compressible, for         example it may comprise concrete or grout.     -   In a preferred embodiment of the invention the prop is formed         with air holes in the top to allow air to escape the vessel         whilst the material is being inserted therein.     -   Handles may be provided for easy carrying and to assist in         extending the cover from the base to a desired height.     -   The prop may be made of a variety of materials including         plastic, steel or fiberglass.     -   Stops may be provided on the sides of the cover and of the base         which cooperate to prevent the cover from being inadvertently         disengaged from the base.     -   Preferably the stops may be overcome by rotating the base         relative to the cover in order to remove the cover from the base         to thereby empty the vessel of the material.     -   As an alternative to, or in addition to the stops, markings or         protrusions or the like may be located upon the side of a         portion of the vessel to provide a visual indicator as to when         the limit of extension of the vessel is approaching or has been         reached.     -   In some embodiments the markings may be provided in the former         of one or more stickers or decals that are applied to one or         more portions of the vessel.     -   The top of the cover may comprise a flexible envelope fast with         the one or more sides of the cover prop for receiving filling in         order to present a deformable upper surface for bearing a load.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention.

The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 depicts a prop according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 2 depicts the prop of FIG. 1 in an extended configuration.

FIG. 3 depicts a further embodiment of a prop according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is depicted a prop 1 according to preferred embodiment of the present invention in a collapsed configuration. The prop 301 comprises a vessel having a base 3 with a bottom 5 and sides 7 over which there is located a cover 9 having a top 11 and sides 13.

It will be seen that the sides 13 of cover 9 substantially overlap the sides 7 of base 3 so that the overall height of the prop in the collapsed state shown in FIG. 1 is hl as indicated. The top 11 of cover 9 includes a space in the form of an indent 14 for locating with a roof bolt of a mine for example, once installed. The space may be an indentation or in some embodiments may penetrate through the top. Air holes 15 are also formed through the top 11. An inlet port 17 is formed through side 13 of the cover to receive substantially non-compressible filler such as concrete or grout.

Referring now to FIG. 2, once the empty prop 1 has been transported to its site for installation the cover portion 9 is raised with use of handles 19 so that the overlap of the sides of the base with the sides of the cover is substantially reduced. In this extended configuration a filler such as concrete or grout is introduced into the prop through inlet port 17. The cover can be extended so that the distance from the top 11 to the bottom 5 is h2 as indicated in FIG. 2. In the extended form the space 14 at the top of the prop can be located about a structure protruding from the ceiling such as a roof bolt.

It will be realised that the presence of the space 14 makes it much easier to properly install and locate the prop since it can take advantage of existing features in the environment in which it is to be installed, such as roof bolts in a mine for example.

Preferably stops (not visible) are provided on the sides of the cover and the base which cooperate to prevent the cover from being inadvertently extended so far that it becomes disengaged from the base. The stops may be overcome by rotating the base relative to the cover in order to remove the cover from the base to thereby empty the vessel of the material and all it to be returned to a collapsed state if required.

As an alternative to, or in addition to, the stops, markings or protrusions or the like may be formed upon the side of a portion of the vessel to provide a visual indicator as to when the limit of extension of the vessel is approaching or has been reached. In some embodiments the markings may be provided in the former of one or more stickers or decals that are applied to one or more portions of the vessel.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in a further embodiment of the invention a flexible envelope such as a bag 21 may be screwed around the top of the prop. The bag may be made of plastic, rubber or a flexible mesh with relatively fine gaps for retaining filling. During use the filling that is pumped into the prop under pressure fills into the bag 21 thereby filling it. In turn the bag 21 presents a deformable upper surface that is able to conform to any inconsistency or shape of the roof to thereby allow for a stronger seal and better support of the roof. This is desirable because the roof is rarely flat.

Additionally, handles 23 may be provided on the sides of the prop. In an alternative embodiment these may be molded into the lower part of the cover portion 9 during manufacture.

It will be realized that the prop described with reference to the figures is easily transportable in the collapsed state since it is light and relatively compact. Several such props can be loaded onto a truck to be transported and installed on site.

It will be further understood that the dimensions and proportions of the prop may be varied from that of the particular embodiment described herein. Furthermore, a prop of non-circular cross-section, e.g. square or rectangular section, might be used in some embodiments.

The prop may be made of a variety of materials including plastic, steel or fiberglass.

Where it is envisaged that the prop be used in a mining environment it will preferably be made of, or treated with, an anti-static material.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art. 

1. A prop in the form of a vessel including a base having a bottom and one or more sides; a cover including a top and one or more sides, wherein the sides of the cover and of the base overlap each other to a maximal extent in a collapsed configuration; at least one port formed in the one or more sides for filling the vessel with material when the sides of the cover and of the base overlap each other to a minimal extent in a extended configuration; and a space formed in the top for accommodating a roof bolt when installed in a mine.
 2. A prop according to claim 1, wherein the material is substantially non-compressible.
 3. A prop according to claim 1 formed with air holes to allow air to escape the vessel whilst the material is being inserted therein.
 4. A prop according to claim 1 including handles for easy carrying and to assist in extending the cover from the base to a desired height.
 5. A prop according to claim 1 made of plastic, metal or fiberglass.
 6. A prop according to claim 1 including stops on the sides of the cover and of the base which cooperate to prevent the cover from being inadvertently disengaged from the base in the extended configuration.
 7. A prop according to claim 6, wherein the stops are arranged to be overcome by rotating the base relative to the cover in order to remove the cover from the base to thereby empty the vessel of the material.
 8. A prop according to claim 1 including markings or protrusions or the like located upon the side of a portion of the vessel to provide a visual indicator as to when the limit of extension of the vessel is approaching or has been reached.
 9. A prop according to claim 1, wherein the top comprises a flexible envelope fast with the one or more sides of the cover for receiving filling in order to present a deformable upper surface for bearing a load. 